RETRACTABLE DISPLAY APPARATUS

• US 20100165219A1
• Filed: 04/14/2008
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
• Inventors: Ikunami, Takahiro
• Granted Patent: US 8,139,170 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/836
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0096 Theft prevention of articles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence

Abstract

A frame cover and a back cover constituting a panel-shaped first casing having an image display surface include a plurality of primary engaging means provided at least in the butt-edge portions on the side to which hinges are attached and engaging between the butt edge portions; and a secondary engaging means located internally in front of a rectangular lock hole in which a movable type lock claw of a second casing is inserted and locked in order to hold the first casing, having a flexible piece extending from one of the covers toward the other thereof, and engaging the other of the covers with the free end of the flexible piece; wherein a fit state where the frame cover and the back cover are combined is established by both the engagements of the primary engaging means and the secondary engaging means, whereas the engagement of the primary engaging means is set in a releasable state by inserting a tool into the rectangular lock hole and inwardly flexing the flexible piece to release the secondary engaging means from the engagement.

Claims

1. A retractable display apparatus comprising a panel-shaped first casing having an image display surface;

and a second casing that openably and closably supports the first casing with a hinge;

the retractable display apparatus in which when the first casing is closed to the side of the second casing, the second casing holds the first casing by inserting and locking a releasably movable type lock claw provided in the second casing, in a rectangular lock hole provided in the side portion of the first casing opposite the side to which the hinges are attached,

wherein the first casing composed of a frame cover and a back cover comprises;

a plurality of primary engaging means provided at least in the butt edge portions on the side to which the hinges are attached, and engaging the butt edge portions; and

a secondary engaging means located internally in front of the rectangular lock hole, having a flexible piece extending from one of the covers toward the other thereof and engaging the other of the covers with the free end of the flexible piece; and

wherein a fit state where the frame cover and the back cover are combined is established by both the engagements of the primary engaging means and the secondary engaging means, while the engagement of the primary engaging means is set in a releasable state by inserting a tool into the rectangular lock hole and inwardly flexing the flexible piece to release the secondary engaging means from the engagement.

2. The retractable display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first engaging means are also provided in the butt edge portions of the frame cover and the back cover on the side where the rectangular lock hole is provided.

3. The retractable display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first engaging means has semicylindrical bulges and frame sections engaging the corresponding bulges.

4. The retractable display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the secondary engaging means has a hook provided at the free end of the flexible piece and an angular piece section engaging the hook.

5. The retractable display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the secondary engaging means has a rectangular frame provided at the free end of the flexible piece and an angular projection which is inserted in the rectangular frame.

6. The retractable display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame cover and the back cover each have an engaging section meshing with each other positioned anywhere within the butt edge portion except the positions where the primary engaging means and the secondary engaging means are formed.